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Hot Flashes And Night Sweat Remedies That Really Work

by Patsy Hamilton

Treatments for hot flashes and night sweat remedies are relatively easy to find. The question is whether or not they work. There may be natural ways to avoid hot flashes for some women. These depend mostly on a woman�s lifestyle and diet. What works for one woman may not work for every woman, but there are some products that are very popular and scientific research supports their use.

Most women approaching menopause experience hot flashes and night sweat, remedies that are effective are sometimes hard to identify, because the actual cause of hot flashes and night sweats is unknown. It is believed that sharp decreases in hormonal levels are at the root of the problem.

Hot flashes or flushes and night sweats are different names for the same type of physical symptoms. They are referred to as vasomotor symptoms, because blood vessels and circulation are involved. They may begin years before actual menopause and last for several years afterwards. The frequency and severity varies from one woman to the next.

Typically the heat begins in a woman�s chest, travels up the neck to the face and head. When they occur at night, they may interrupt a woman�s sleep, increasing levels of fatigue and sometimes leading to insomnia. From the experiences of other women, we know that caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products and spicy foods can trigger them, as can anger, frustration and irritation. Avoiding stimulants and alcohol may be effective natural ways to avoid hot flashes and night sweats.

Of all hot flashes and night sweat remedies, the most commonly recommended is black cohosh. More research has been done concerning the effectiveness and safety of black cohosh than on any of the other herbs that can help menopause hot flash symptoms. Some women using black cohosh report that it is 100% effective. Using herbs is one of the popular natural ways to avoid hot flashes, if you have tried black cohosh and it does not seem to work for you, there are other plant components that may be effective.

Scientists are still unsure why black cohosh provides such effective relief for hot flashes and night sweat remedies are often less effective. Evaluations of the chemical compounds of other plants have revealed an estrogen-like substance, aptly named phytoestrogens. Black cohosh does not appear to contain phytoestrogens. It seems to affect other chemicals in a woman�s body. Phytoestrogens are believed to relieve menopause hot flash symptoms by replacing some of the estrogen lost as the ovaries stop functioning, similar to the idea behind hormone replacement therapy.

Isoflavones are one type of phytoestrogen. If you read the ingredients on some hot flashes and night sweat remedies, you may see �soy isoflavones� or �isoflavones from red clover�. Adding soy to the diet is believed by some to be one of the natural ways to avoid hot flashes; however research has shown that dietary supplements containing isoflavones are more effective.

While no long term studies have been conducted concerning women who use phytoestrogens or isoflavones as hot flashes and night sweat remedies, short term clinical studies have revealed their effectiveness, lack of side effects and safety. Even the idea that phytoestrogens, which are found in soy beans, a health food, might not be safe for long term use seems silly. People eat soy all of the time and have for many, many years.

Red clover is grown for animal feed. Native Americans used the flower for tea and chewed the leaves raw. Healers used it to treat liver ailments, gall bladder ailments, ulcers, diabetes, tonsillitis, internal cancer, appendicitis, headaches and as one of the natural ways to avoid hot flashes.

Scientific research and the experiences of other women confirm that hot flashes and night sweat remedies containing red clover or other phytoestrogens and/or black cohosh are effective. Laboratory tests have revealed that black cohosh has no effect on even estrogen sensitive cancer cell lines. For more information about these and other natural ways to avoid hot flashes, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more at http://www.menopause-and-pms-guide.com

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